Everyone Must Work Together to Ensure Every Child's Rights: Deputy Speaker Kaysar Kamal at Caucus's First Meeting in Parliament

There should be no division of party or opinion, class or profession, or plain and hill regions in establishing children's rights, Deputy Speaker Kaysar Kamal has commented. He said everyone must work collectively to ensure the rights of every child.

The deputy speaker said this in his speech as chief guest at the first meeting of the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights at the National Parliament Bhaban on Thursday. The Parliament Secretariat said this in a notice.

The deputy speaker said the government is working sincerely to prevent abuse of women and children and to establish children's rights. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, with the resolve to build a humane Bangladesh, parliament and all concerned parties must come forward in unity.

Welcoming the caucus initiative, Kaysar Kamal said such an initiative is very timely for protecting child rights. Alongside members of parliament, an effective role must be played through the active participation and cooperation of concerned stakeholders.

He said there are many laws in the country on child rights and protection, but their proper enforcement and implementation are most important. In this area, alongside coordination among law, budget and stakeholders, short- and long-term action plans must be adopted.

The deputy speaker stressed reviewing proposed and draft laws relating to child rights and making necessary amendments. He said amendment proposals can be brought through the Law Ministry if needed. If there is any obstacle in the executive branch, members of parliament can also raise the matter in parliament through a private bill. He assured full cooperation from parliament on this.

The notice said the meeting discussed child rights protection, formulation of child-friendly laws and policies, budget allocation, ensuring accountability, and the role of members of parliament in implementing national and international commitments. To that end, proposals were raised to strengthen parliamentary initiatives by involving development partners and concerned persons, and for policy discussion, oversight and necessary steps.

Special importance was given at the meeting to ensuring education, health and nutrition for girls, children with disabilities and marginalised communities, children in hill regions, and helpless, orphaned and destitute children.

Chaired by caucus president Shirin Sultana, the meeting was attended by members Morshed Milton, A K M Fazlul Haque Milon, Sheikh Jahangir Hossain Helal, Anna Minj and Madhabi Marma.